Swingolf
{{short description|Family variation of golf}}
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Swingolf is a family-oriented variation of golf that has is played with a single golf club and softer, bigger balls, giving access to inexperienced and young players. This sport is usually played casually, similar to mini-golf, but also has a league.{{Cite web|url=http://www.leswin.com/|title=French League of Swingolf|website=|access-date=14 June 2016}} The golf courses are usually less well-kept than normal courses.{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}} They are often planted with grass that fits local climate, reducing watering and maintenance and thus reducing cost.{{Citation needed|date=June 2016}} This sport is mainly popular in Europe, especially in France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Iceland.{{Cite web|url=http://www.leswin.com/terrains/|title=Où jouer? – Fédération Sportive de Swin-Golf|website=leswin.com|access-date=2016-06-15}}
Differences with Golf
- The fees to play Swingolf are usually much lower, ranging from €8 to €15 for an adult per game.{{Cite web|url=http://www.swingolfneuchatel.ch/prix.php|title=Swin Golf Pierre-À-Bot|website=swingolfneuchatel.ch|access-date=2016-06-15}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.golfdeneuchatel.ch/en/tarifs|title=Tarifs - Golf & Country Club de Neuchâtel|last=Utilisateur|first=Super|website=golfdeneuchatel.ch|access-date=2016-06-15}}
- It can be played by kids starting at 8 years old and family without prior experience after a 10 minute introduction.{{Cite web|url=http://www.laligue14.org/ufolep/IMG/pdf/Regles_de_jeu_swin_golf.pdf|title=Swingolf Rules|website=|access-date=}}
- The balls, bigger than golf and made of soft polymeric foam, reduce the risk of injuries or damage in case of impact.
- The game is played with a single club that is usually lent, reducing the hassle to carry several clubs.
- The course is much smaller than usual golf course and is ranging from 30,000 to 90,000m2.{{Cite web|url=http://mguiheneuc.free.fr/topic3/index.html|title=Swin concept|website=mguiheneuc.free.fr|access-date=2016-06-15}}
- The course is usually less kept than traditional golf, reducing maintenance cost and water usage.
- Due to the less kept course, ball trajectory might be less predictable.
- The range is shorter due to the bigger and softer ball to about 150–200 meters for a strike. Swingolf is easier than golf for kids.
History
Swingolf was created in 1982 by Laurent de Vilmorin and mainly expanded in western Europe in countries where golf is expensive.{{Cite web|url=http://www.golfdeneuchatel.ch/en/tarifs|title=Tarifs - Golf & Country Club de Neuchâtel|last=Utilisateur|first=Super|website=golfdeneuchatel.ch|access-date=2016-06-15}}